Equestrian and Horse of the Year
Leading National Reining Horse Association and AQHA trainer Tom McCutcheon and American Quarter Horse Gunners Special Nite win the United States Equestrian Federation Horse and
Equestrian of the Year awards. Reprint from America’s Horse The 2010 Farnam/Platform
United States Equestrian Federation Equestrian and Horse of the Year are Tom McCutcheon of Aubrey, Texas, and his mount, Gunners Special Nite, the only double gold medalist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. This was only the second time the awards were given to a horse and its rider. Tom is the first reiner to be
crowned USEF Equestrian of the Year. An NRHA One Million Dollar Rider, the 2010 Adequan- USEF open reining reserve cham- pion and the Kentucky Cup winner, Tom continued his pursuit of excel- lence on the national level and the international stage. At the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Tom and Gunners
Special Nite won the individual gold in reining, and the two were members of the gold-medal-winning Team USA. “This whole thing has changed my life,” Tom says of the last 12 months. Owner SarahWilleman accepted the award for Gunners Special Nite, a 7-
year-old sorrel stallion by Colonels Smoking Gun and out of Mifs Doll by Mifillena. “This is definitely the high point of my life as a horse owner,” Sarah said
in her acceptance speech. “It's a great feeling to have the support of the eques- trian community, and I'm happy as well for the recognition this brings to rein- ing.”
When talking about Gunners Special Nite, Sarah had only high praise for
the sorrel, bald-faced stallion. “We knew he was a great horse, but he managed to exceed all of our expec-
tations,” she continued later. “I was thrilled just to see him on the U.S. team and to see him contribute to the team's win at WEG. But then his run with Tom in the individual finals was the best reining run I've ever seen.” Sarah also mentioned her appreciation for Tom and his wife, Mandy McCutcheon, in her speech: “I feel such gratitude toward Tom and Mandy McCutcheon, because
they've given me something to be excited about again in the horse world. I'm lucky to have found them. They've taught me so much over the last four years. Mandy is a master of showmanship and gives me something to aspire to in the non-pro division. Tomis as talented a rider and horse trainer as you'll ever find. And most importantly to me, Tom and Mandy are thoroughly good people, thoughtful and kind and appreciative of what they have. It's a comfort to know that Tom always has the best interests of his horses and his clients at heart.” Also honored were AQHA Past President Don Burt and Intercollegiate
Horse ShowAssociation creator Bob Cacchione. Don was added to the Honor Roll of Distinguished Officials and Bob was awarded the USEF Equus Foundation Humanitarian Award for his development of the collegiate riding program.
PACIFIC COAST JOURNAL • FEBRUARY 2011 • Page 29
Back-2-Basics Quarter Horse Circuit
PCQHA Youth Qualifying Shows EMO Novice Championship Show Qualifier
March 10-11-12-13, 2011 Rancho Murieta CA
5 NRCHA Classes with added
Lower Novice &Youth Class Fees Improved Class Schedule
AQHA – PCQHA - NRCHA Approvals Youth Classes Every Day
4 AQHA Split/Combined Shows Judges:
Margo Lea Ball • Tom Crowley • Vicki Radtke • Mike Perkins Photo by Shannon Brinkman
SILVER SPURS All Around
Youth • Amateur • Open Horse • Green Horse
Novice Youth – Novice Amateur Select Amateur
Silver Buckle • 11 & UnderWalk/Jog
Special Awards for Grand Champion Halter Horses Circuit Awards in all Classes
11 & UnderWalk-Jog All Breed Classes AQHA Green Horse Classes
Sponsors....
Tom & Kathy Hunt - The Joe Moran Family Ron & Alexis Landskroner Art Grunig
Domenic & Patty Genco R.L. & Kathy Davis
Lori Crow Quarter Horses Mission Oaks Quarter Horses
Precision Silkscreen/Midge Agsten Valley Oaks Quarter Horses Dana Robinson Quarter Horses
Contact: Darlene Mills • E-mail:
DMillsB2B@comcast.net 209/754-4165 ~ Fax: 209/754-4303
www.darlenemillsshows.com Show Office Phone: 916/354-8805 [as of 3/9/11]
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